Slideshow image

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

 

There are signs all around us. There are traffic signs that give speed limits, directions, or warnings of what is to come. The question is. . . if we pay close enough attention to read them and open our minds to heed their advice.

How many times have you prayed for God to send you a sign? Asking for a sign from God isn’t necessarily a bad thing. From Moses, to Elijah, to the several miracles performed by the early church, the Bible is full of signs authenticating the work of Jesus in and through his church. The question isn’t if God sends signs, the question is if we are willing to listen.

Jesus knew the Pharisees weren’t asking for a sign to help them believe. Miracles had already been performed right in front of them. Their minds were already made up. They were just looking for ammunition to use against him.

What does Jesus have to do to get our attention? The Pharisees witnessed miracles yet demanded more, showing that seeing does not guarantee belief. Jesus calls us to believe based on who He is and what He has already done.

Lord, I come to you with an open heart and mind, ready to receive your grace and forgiveness. Help open my eyes, so that I recognize the signs you send. Amen

Karen DeMauro

Karen.demauro@gmail.com